Manipulation of sheet-metal plates.



E. c. POOL. MANIPULATION 0F SHEET METAL PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I4. I908.

Patented June 1, 1915.

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WITNESSES.

E. C. POOL.

MANIPULATION 0F SHEET METAL PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 14, 1908.

Patented June 1, 1915.

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INVENTOR. mam

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E. C. POOL.

MANIPULATION OF SHEET METAL PLATES. APPLICATION FILED APR. 14. 1908.

1 141,41 2. Patented June 1, 1915.

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mmruunou 0F SHEET METAL PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 14, 1908. 1,141,412, Patented June 1, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

INVENTOR. M a 5 rv-Z WITNESSES. MM W E. C. POOL.

MANIPULATION 0F SHEET METAL PLATES APPLICATION FILED APR. 14. 1908.

1 1 4 1,4 1 2 Patented June 1, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

FIG. 8 2/ FIG. 9

WITNESSES. INVENTOR.

WZ M 7% z -UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELMER c. POOL, or NEW CASTLE, PENNsYLvAn'iA'.

MANIPULATION or SHEET-METAL, PLATES.

Application filed April 14, 1908.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, Emma C.-P0oL, a resident of New Castle, in the county of Lawrence and State'of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Manipulation of Sheet-Metal Plates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the lifting by magnetic force of sheet metal plates one at a time from a pile, without movin more than one plate, and without disturblng the position of the plate or plates next to the one being removed. While designed primarily for use in delivering. plates to tinning machines, and such embodiment is here shown, the invention is not limited thereto but may be employed in various other connections where it is necessary or desirable to manipulate plates one at a time without danger of carrying more than one. Thus considered, a primary feature of the invention is to provide a machine with a plate moving magnet of such form as to so spread the ath of the magnetic lines or circuit over the plate that there is no tendency for any of the mag etic lines to pass therethrough into the next adjacent plate or plates; also in such machine a magnet having a face or terminal of such form as to concentrate the lines of force into a relatively small area when entering the plate, thereby increasing the pull or holding power of the magnet.

In applying the invention to the delivery of plates to atinning machine, a further object of the invention is to provide for so moving the plate carrier as to lift the plates from a bosh, pile or other point and automatically deliver the same to the machine, the cycle of operations being completed when the carrier returns from plate-discharging position to the point for receiving another plate, when the movements are repeated, thus providing a mechanism that is wholly automatic.

A further object is to provide plate pushing means of improved construction for re- (-vivin g the plates from the plate-carrier and advancing them through the tinning pot to the rolls.

Still a further object is to provide for automatically feeding plates to first one set of rolls and then to another set, as when a double machine is in use.

In connection with the foregoing, a fur- Speeiflcation of Letters Patent.

Patented 3111161 1915.

Serial No. 487,048.

panying drawings, wherein a Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying the invention, the plate-holding bosh and a portion of the tinning pot being shown in section, the position of the magnetic lift being that which it assumes when adjacent the pile of plates and just prior to moving into engagement with the outer or uppermost plate, and with the plate pushing devices projected into the tinning pot. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing in full lines the positions the parts assume when delivering a plate to the tinning pot, the dotted lines indicating the positions the parts assume when a plate is being enga ed by the magnets, this dotted line position ollowing the position shown in Fi 1 and preceding the full line position of Fig. 3 is a top plan, the parts being in the full line position shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the tinning pot on a somewhat larger scale, and Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section on line 5--5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the electro-magnet circuit-breaker, and Fig. 7 is a similar view of the connections for operating the plate pushing devices. Figs. 8 and 9 are details of the magnets and front portion of the magnet carrier.

Referring to the drawings, 2 designates the pot of a tinning machine which may be of the usual or any preferred construction, a double machine being here shown having two sets of discharging rolls 3 and 5, with the usual plate passages 4 and 6 leading upwardly thereto, while at the opposite end of the pot is the single inlet passage 7, having bottom ribs 8 and top ribs 9 projected slightly therefrom. Mounted at 10 to oscillate in the inner portion of passage 7 are the switch-forming arms 11 which are raised and lowered alternately to first direct the plates to roll 3, and when lowered to rolls 5. An arm 12 projecting upwardly from the pivotally mounted switch is engaged by cam 13 on shaft 14, the latter being operated to throw the switch in a manner presently to Fig. 2.. t

be explained. With the invention applied to a single machine, a. e. a machine with one set of rolls, the switch mechanism is of course omitted.

the front portion without interfering with the movement of the carrier as a whole.

The rear portion of the carrier consists of two arms or levers 15 at opposite sides of the machine, each pivoted between its ends to the upper extremity of a vertically oscillating support or fulcrum 16, the latter being preferably counterweighted at 17 to assist 1n the upward movement of the carrier, as when lifting a plate to charging position. The rear ends of arms 15 are connected to cranks 18 carried by the ends of transverse drive shafts 19, the latter journaled in brackets 20 raised from opposite sides of pot 2. Power may be imparted through sprocket 19, carried by shaft 19.

The front portion of the carrier consists of arms 21, each slotted at 22 for longitudinal adjustment on shaft 23, the latter being journaled in the outer ends of arms 15, with a clamp device 24 fixing each arm to said shaft in the adjustment desired. Thus, the forward portion of the carrier, is oscillated by turning shaft 23, and the plate holding devices, presently to be described, carried by said armsare adjusted as required for first engaging a plate and then assisting in placing the same in position to be charged into the machine. The longitudinal adjustment of arms 21 on shaft 23 provides for.

varying the reach of the lifting mechanism, determined by the width of the plates being manipulated. For thus oscillating shaft 23, a segment inion 25 is secured to one end thereof, an meshing therewith is rack 26 on the outer extremity of arm 27. This arm extends along one side of arms 15 and is pivoted thereto at 28, while the portion 29 rearward from the pivot carries at its extremity a roller which bears on the edge of cam 30,

' secured to one of cranks 18. The peripheral gether by arm 37. A shaft 38 is journaled in the extremities of arms 21, and brackets 39 projecting from the magnets are fixed thereto. Rotation of this shaft is opposed by tension spring 40 which holds finger 41 on shaft 38 normally in engagement with the adjustable stop 42.

The pole terminals 45 of each magnet are elongated transversely to form bearing surfaces ofgreater length than the width or section of the magnet poles or cores, and in the adaptation here shown the terminals are straight and in parallel relation and are of knife-edge form to provide contact surfaces 46 of relatively small area. It is obvious, however, that the invention may be embodied in shoes or terminals of various forms.

A fundamental characteristic of the invention is the facility with which the magnets are caused to maintain a secure hold on and lift the uppermost or outermost plate of a pile without either lifting or disturbing the plate or plates next adjacent. This I accomplish by providing a magnet of such form as to spread the path of the magnetic lines passing from one pole to the other. The width or area of such path is determined by the spread of the pole terminals, and with the path thus spread or extended in the lane of the plate, the metal of the plate a ords sufficient room for the lines of force, and they have no tendency to deviate from the topmost plate which of course affords the shortest path from one pole to the other, and there is no influence operating to distort the lines of force into the next plate. Hence, with the'plates piled in facewise engagement with each other, the magnets have no appreciable effect on the plate next to the one to which they are applied. Thelength of the terminals may vary with the thickness or gage of plates, as it is obvious that the path for the magnetic lines need be less extended for relatively thick plates than for plates of less gage. Furthermore, the elongated terminals greatly stiffen very thin plates, and render them less liable to bend or buckle while being carried one by one. I

A further characteristic of the invention is the minimizing of the contact surface areas of the pole extremities, in the adaptation here shown each extremity somewhat resembling a knife-edge. The result of this is that the lines of force are concentrated at the contact edges and thus afford a stronger pull or hold than though they were less contracted at the points of contact, as would be the case if the edges were of any considerable width. The thinning or reducing of the contact faces of the terminals has mainly to do with the strength of the hold or pull, as the principle above described of spreading the path between the poles of the lines of force would still be present if the contact surface areas were not thus reduced. But the hold would be materially weaker and a stronger magnet would have to be" used for doing the same work.

While permanent magnets might be used, I prefer to employ electro-magnets as the strength thereof may be varied as conditions may re uire, and they may be automatically deenergized at the proper moment for permitting the plates to pass forward into the machine. In; the present adaptation, this is accomplished by an electric circuit 47 with which the several magnet coils are connected and which is'formed with an interruption provided with spring terminals 48 which bear on the periphery of head 49 of insulating material, secured to shaft 19. A portion of the periphery of this head has a metallic covering 50,- which connects contacts 48 and thus closes the circuit through the magnet cores and energizes the magnets. At the proper moment for releasing the plate, contacts 48 engage the uncovered portion of insulating head 49, thus deenergizing the magnets, in which condition they may, if desired, remain until the apparatus is retiirned to position for engaging another p ate.

The plates are advanced through the machine and into en agement with the rolls by pusher-arms 55, Forked at their lower ends to embrace the'ed esof the plate, with the longer tines 56 o the forks at the inner side. These arms are supported and oscillated by carrier arms 57 secured to rockshaft 58 extending across the machine parallel with shaft 19. The outer ends of arms 57 carry rod 59 to? which arms 55 are secured, one'of the latter having a backwardly turned extremity 60 tied to one of arms 57 by spring 61 which resists independent movement of arms 55 on carrier arms 57, with an adjusting screw 62 for determining the relative positions in which arms 55 and 57 are held by the spring.

For oscillating shaft 58 and thus raising and lowering the pusher arms as required foradvancing plates through the machine, a crank 63, adjustably secured to the shaft by slotted bracket 64 and clamping screw 65, is connected by link 66 with the upper end of lever 67, the latter being fulcrumed at its lower end to one side of pot 2. This lever is positioned adjacent head 68, secured to shaft 14, said shaft also carrying a sprocket wheel to which drive chain 69 extends from the upper transverse shaft 19. Formed in the outer face of head 68 is the endless cam groove 70, and entered therein is rollerpin 71 projecting from lever 67. By this means the necessary oscillating mOVementisimparted to lever 67 and transmitted throughthe described connections to pusher-arms 55, as required for advancing the plates through the machine. The adjustment afforded by bracket 64 and screw provides for varying the throw of the pusher arms for plates of different width.

In the double form of machine here shown, as the travel of the plates to the outer set of rolls 3 is longer than to roll-set 5, I provide means for moving the arms farther inward in the one instance than in the other. This I accomplish by the formation of cam groove 70, as clearly shown in Fig. 7. Itwill be noted that this groove is of general oval form, surrounding the axial line of head 68, with end 72 of the groove extended farther from said axial line than end 73, with the resultthat when pin 71 is being traversed by the longer portion 72 of the groove, as in Fig. 1, switch 11 is in raised position and communication established with the longer plate passage leading to the outer rolls 3. For the shorter travel required for the plates to reach rolls 5, pin 71 and end 73 of the cam groove coeperate, as will be understood.

With the various parts of the machine adjusted to perform their respective functions in proper sequence, the operation is as follows: Starting with the positions shown in Fig. 1, the plate pushing mechanism is just completing the advance of a plate P through the machine and the jointed magnet carrier is extending outward and lowered, so that only a comparatively slight lateral movement of the magnets 1s necessary to bring them in contact with another plate. As here shown, the plates are arranged in a bosh 74 in which they may remain stacked and immersed in water until removed one by one to the machine, and hence there is no opportunity for the plates to rust. At this time, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, the high or deep portion 31 of cam 30 is moved from beneath the rear end 29 of arm 27, and the shallower portion of cam 30 then operating the arm permits the latter to oscillate in response to the pull of spring 35, when the gearing oscillates the magnet supports into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2. The magnets have by this time been energized, whereupon they become attached to the outermost plate of the stack.. The lifting and gyrating movement of the two-part carrier structure following this engagement with the plate results in raising the latter out of bosh 74, and moves it laterally to the position shown in Fig. 2 for entering the machine. Simultaneously with this movement, cam 30 oscillates the magnet support in such manner that these several movements combine to place the plate in the full line position of Fig. 2. Meanwhile, pusher-arms 55 have been raised, so that as the plate moves inward to the position shown in Fig. 2, the lower edge thereof engages the projecting ribs 9 of the inlet passage and the top portion is backed up by the longer tines 56 of pusher-arms 55, and it is only necessary for said arms to lower slightly to cause their forked ends to embrace the upper edge of the plate. The construction is such that the magnets may lower slightly along with the plate from the full line position shown in Fig. 2 before starting their outward movement for a fresh plate, thus causing the delivered plate to well enter the machine and beyond danger of control thereof being lost. The electric circuit is then broken at contacts 48, the magnets disengaged, and the plate finally released and advanced through the machine by the pusher-arms' The oscillating spring-opposed mounting of the magnets on carrier arms 521 permits of such movement as enables both poles of each magnet to engage the plates while stacked in bosh 74, regardless of variations in the angle at which the plates may stand.

While Ihave here shown and described a desirable embodiment of the improvements and an advantageous assemblage of the several parts, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims. Two magnets are here shown, but one may be used, or more than two, as conditions may require. It is also clear that the adjustments may be so varied as to cause the magnets to engage and pick up plates arranged in positions other than upright or leaning, as here shown. It is further to be understood that the improved magnetic lift for manipulating plates may be employed as here shown in connection with a tin plate machine, or in any other relation or use to which it may be adapted.

I claim 1. The combination with a machine for tinning metal plates, of a magnet operating to move plates one by one from a pile in which the plates bear one against another, and means for moving the magnet to deliver the plate carried thereby to the tinning machine.

2. The combination with a machine for tinnin metal plates, and a support for a pile 0 plates to be delivered to the machine with the plates of the pile in face-wise engagement one with another, of a magnet adapted to engage the exposed face of the outermost plate of the pile and-with said plate constituting an armature, for the magnet, the magnet including means for spread- ,ing the magnetic lines 0 force in the direction of the plane of the magnet-engaged surface of the plate for substantially confining said lines to the engaged late, and means for moving the magnet to eliver the plate carried thereby to the tinning machine.

3. The combination with a machine for tinning metal plates, of a magnet adapted to engage the exposed face of the outermost plate of a pile of plates with the engaged plate constituting an armature for the magnet, the magnet including means for spreading magnetic lines of force in the direction of the plane of the magnet-engaged surface of the plate for substantially confining said lines to the engaged plate, and means for moving the plate-carrying magnet relatively. to the tinning machine.

4. The combination with a tinning machine, of a magnet carrier, means formoving the carrier relatively to the machine, and plate-lifting magnets mounted on the carrier, each magnet having elongated poleterminals for engaging the plates.

5. The combination with a tinning machine, of a carrier consisting of inner and outer parts jointed together, to afford movement of the outer part on the inner part, mechanism operatively connected to the inner part for moving the jointed carrier relatively to the machine, means for moving the outer part of the carrier relatively to the inner part thereof, and plate-moving means supported by-the outer part of the carrier.

6. The combination with a tinning machine, of a carrier consisting of inner and outer parts jointed together to afi'ordmovement of the outer part on the inner part, mechanism operatively connected to the inner part for moving the jointed carrier relatively to the machine, means for adjusting the outer portion of the carrier on the inner portion for varying the reach of the carrier, mechanism for oscillating the outer portion of the carrier on the inner portion, and plate-moving means supported by the said outer portion.

7. The combination with atinningmachine, of a plate carrier consisting of inner and outer portions jointed together to afford.

the outer portion movement. on the inner portion, carrier operating means connected to the inner portion, plate pushing means for advancing the plates through the machine, mechanism for oscillating the outer portion of the carrier on the inner portion for positioning the plates to be operated upon by the plate pus ing means, and platemoving means carried by the outer portion of the carrier.

8. The combination with a -tinning machine, of a carrier 0 crating to deliver plates to the machine, an means for imparting a gyrating movement to'the carrier for raising the same from plate-engaging position, then moving it laterally to p ate-delivering position, and then returning the carrier to the first mentioned position for engaging aninner part and an outer part jointed together to afford the outer part an oscillating movement on the inner part, means for imparting a gyrating movement to the innor part of the carrier, means operating during such gyrating movement for oscillating the outer portion of the carrier on the inner portion thereof, and plate-moving means on said outer portion.

10. Plate delivering mechanism for a tinning machine consisting of a carrier having a shifting pivotal support, crank means for oscillating the carrier on the support and at the same time shifting the latter, plate moving means movably mounted on the carrier, and means for moving the plate-moving means without interrupting the movement of the carrier.

11. Plate delivering mechanism for a tinning machine comprising a carrier having a shifting pivotal support, crank means for oscillating the carrier on the support and at the same time shifting the pivotal support, plate moving means mounted to oscillate on the carrier, an arm mounted to oscillate on the carrier, a rack at one end of the arm and a gear-movable with the plate holding means-meshing with the rack, and a cam for oscillating said arm.

12. Plate delivering mechanism for a tinning machine comprising vertically swinging support arms, a carrier consisting of a front and rear portion with the front portion mounted to turn on the rear portion, oscillating supports to which the rear portion of the carrier is pivoted, a shaft having a crank connected to the rear portion of the carrier, a cam carried by the crank, an arm pivoted to the carrier and operatively engaged by said cam, a toothed rack on the arm and a gear wheel-movable with the front portion of the carriermeshing with the rack, and plate-moving means on the front portion of the carrier.

13. Plate delivering mechanism for a tinning machine comprising a carrier consisting of a front portion and a rear portion jointed together to afford the front portion an oscillating movement on the rear portion, a spring device for opposing such oscillating movement in one direction, a shifting pivotal support for the rear portion of the carrier, a crank to which the rear portion of the carrier is connected, a cam movable with the crank, an arm pivoted to the rear portion of the carrier and having a rack and pinion connection with the front portion of carrier arm engaged and oscillated by said cam, and plate moving means supported by the front portion of the carrier.

14. The combination with a tinning pot, of plate pushers for advancing the plates through the pot, an oscillating support for the pushers. a lever having a link connection with the support, a rotating member formed with a cam groove, and a pin projecting' from the lever into the groove.

15. The combination with a tinning pot having two sets of rolls with a plate passage for each set, the pot having a plate inlet, a switch device operating to place the plate inlet in register with either of said passages, plate pushing mechanism, and means for operating the switch device.

16. The combination of a tinning pot having two sets of rolls with a plate passage leading to each set, the pot having a plate inlet, a switch for placing the inlet in register with either passage, plate pushing devices, switch throwing means, and actuating mechanism common to the switch throwing means and the pushing devices and operating to throw the switch for each plate-moving movement of the pushing devices.

17. The combination of a tinning pot having two sets of rolls with a plate passage leading to each set, the pot having an inlet plate passage, a switch mounted to oscillate and connect the inlet with either of the roll passages, an arm projecting from the switch, a cam for oscillating the arm and thereby throwing the switch, plate pushing devices, and operating mechanism common to the pushing devices and said cam.

18. The combination of a tinning pot having two sets of rolls with a plate passage leading to each set, the pot having an inlet plate passage, means for placing the inlet passage in register with either roll passage, plate pushing devices adapted to enter the inlet passage, and means for advancing said devices farther for presenting the plates to one set of rolls than when presenting them to the other set. a

19. The combination of a tinning pot having two sets of rolls with a plate passage leading to each set, the pot having an inlet plate passage, means for placing the inlet passage in register with either roll passage, oscillating push arms entering the inlet passage for advancing the plates to the rollers, a rotating head having an endless cam groove disposed around its axis, mechanism intermediate the rotating head and push arms for im arting to the latter two complete inwar and outward movements for each rotation of the head, said intermediate mechanism having a projection entered in said cam groove with more of said groove at one side of the center of the head than atthe opposite side for imparting to the push arms a longer movement when presenting plates to one set of rolls than to the other set,

20. The combination with a tinning machine, of plate pushing devices operating therein to present the plates to the rolls, an oscillating carrier to which said devices are ivotally connected, adjusting means for imiting the pivotal movement of the arms in one direction, and a spring for opposing movement thereof in the opposite direction.

21. The combination with a tinning pot, of a plate pusher for advancing plates through the pot, an oscillating support for the pusher, a lever connected to the support, and rotating means for oscillating the lever.

22. The combination of a tinning pot having two sets of rolls with a passage for each set, and plate-pushing mechanism common to the two passages.

23. The combination of a tinning pot having two sets of rolls with a passage for each set, plate-pushing mechanism, and means for directing the pushing mechanism into either of said passages.

24. The combination of a tinning pot having two sets of rolls with a passage leading to each set, plate-pushing mechanism com mon to the two passages, a switch for directing the pushing mechanism into one or the other of the two passages, and operating means common to the pushing mechanism and the switch.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELMER C. POOL.

Witnesses:

J. M. NEsBIT, JNo. J. FITZGERALD. 

